Belgium winger Nacer Chadli has said Spanish coach Roberto Martinez deserved credit for the team’s success at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Under Martinez, Belgium won Group G ahead of England and impressively rallied back from a 0-2 deficit against Japan to make it a 3-2 win before defeating Brazil 2-1 in the quarterfinals, reports Efe.
“Roberto Martinez started with a small club (Wigan), he did a very good job and went to Everton, and with his experience, style and way of thinking, we are here today, it’s because of him,” Chadli said in a press conference on Sunday ahead of the semifinal clash against France.
Chadli said defeating Brazil gave the team a big boost, but confirmed the team would not get caught up in the hype.
“The enthusiasm in Belgium after the Brazil-Belgium clash is just wonderful. But we have to be with our feet on the ground now,” the West Bromwich Albion player said.
“If you can beacounter-attackdo not have to fear anyone. We respect everybody, but if we play with fear we will not be able to beat France,” Chadli said.
Chadli praised France, calling it a team of high quality that masters the counter-attack and paying special tribute to Kylian Mbappe.
“Apart from (Argentine star Lionel) Messi, I have not seen (players) doing things like what Mbappe does at his age, but yet there is no anti-Mbappe plan as we have not spoken yet about how we are going to play,” Chadli said.
